Pianoeobte



UNITED STATES PATENT (")EEICE J. H. SCHOMACKER, OF PHILADELPHIA,.PENNSYLVANIA PIANOFORTE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 5,631, dated June 13, 1848.

Pianofortes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,` and, eXact description of the construction of the same,v

reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure I, presents a cross sect-ion of a pianoforte with a sounding board and a metallic plate, as constructed by me and Fig. II, presents a front view of a pianoforte, when opened and letters A, and B, represents Candlesticks or Candelabra, as attached to the pianoforte through my invention,

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction.

Figure I.-The general construction of my pianoforte is similar to those in common use and my invention, as far as represented by Fig. I, consists in the following, viz:

Pianofortes, that are now in use have the sounding` board E, fastened to the inner side of the case in a horizontal line from C, to D. The sounding board E, as constructed by me is entirely disengaged from the case, resting on props or supporters F, F, F, F, which props or supporters are fastened to the bottom of the case at H, H; hence it is entirely free from all influence that it otherwise receives from the pressure of the strings and by which its vibrations are necessarily impeded. On the same Fig. I is also reprew sented a metallic plate of my construction (let. K,) a description of which is as follows, viz:

The strings I, I, are in pianofortes, such as are now in use, fastened by pins on the upperside of the metallic plate, (K.) The metallic plate K, as constructed by me, has a groove (L,) on the edges M, M, which groove may be either cast with the plate itself, so as to form a part of it or may be formed by properly attaching to it by ordinary means ya separate piece or pieces. On said metallic plate K, are drilled or otherwise pierced through or left open in casting the holes or apertures N, N, through which the pins O, O, are introduced and to them the strings I, I, (Z, Z,) are attached and fastened within the said groove in the usual manner, thereby securing to the instrument a greater durability of tone and a less liability of getting' out of tune. This is easily to be seen as the pins O, O, are supported by equal force on both sides of the metallic plate. It may yet be stated, that the other end of the strings are attached on the tuning pins I), in the usual manner.

Fig. II represents as above stated, a front view of a pionaforte when opened and the letter A, represents a` Candlestick or candelabra-as attached by ine-when raised and letter B, represents a Candlestick or Candelabra, when shut up or put below the note desk R, R, R.

The letters S, S, represent the pieces of wood, metal or stone or any other suitable material, on which the Candlesticks or candelabra A, and B, are fastened and which may be raised or lowered by hinges V, V, or other modes of raising or lowering, so that the same may be brought out, whenever they are wanted or concealed, when not used, in the recess IV, W, immediately under the note desk R.

lVhat- I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. The construction and arrangementof a sounding board (E,) disengaged from th'e sides C, D, of the case, using for that purpose any props or supporters F, F, F, which will produce the desired effect.

2. Also the construction of a metallic plate K, with a groove or grooves L, on the edge or edges M, M,through which the pins O, O, (to which the strings I, I, (or z' z',) are attached,) are introduced by holes or apertures N, N, passing as herein described through both sides of the groove so that the strings (I, I, or z', shall be attached to said pins O, O, within said groove or grooves.

3. The application of Candlesticks or candelabra A, and B, to pianofortes on either side of the note desk, R, R, so as to conceal them in the recess WV, W, under the note desk.

J. H. SCHOMACKER. Witnesses:

C. A. PULTE, AnMoN DAVIS. 

